WE ARE HIRING- Benefits Planner

Benefits Planner-Full Time-35-40 hours per week – Lansing based non-profit agency seeks a full-time Benefits Planner. The Benefits Planner position is a full-time (35-40 hours per week) non-exempt position with a starting wage of $19.00 to $20.50 per hour, depending on experience. The position includes a full benefits package.

Position Summary:  The ideal candidate for this position is a seasoned professional, who possesses the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical users and navigate potentially conflict-based situations.  Benefits Planning involves working with individuals with disabilities regarding their Social Security work incentive programs designed to assist them in either returning/entering employment or maintaining their employment. Additional duties include assisting clients with MI Bridges benefits. The Benefits Planners targeted knowledge base must include Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid, and Food Assistance. This position requires the maintenance of the Benefits Planner/ Work Incentives Practitioner certification as well as Bridges Navigator.

Duties include:  1) Develop rapport/confidence with customers. 2) Obtain needed releases of information if required, and timely submission of those requests. 3) Interpret benefit information from the provider (SSA and/or MDHHS) and confidently communicate that information to the customer. 4) Explain the impact of employment on individuals’ benefits. 5) Provide guidance to the individual regarding reporting responsibilities. 6) Interfacing with Social Security Administration, local school districts, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, and Department of Health and Human Services. 7) Referrals to and follow-up from internal and community resources.  8) Timely completion of reporting requirements and documentation. 9) Outreach activities/events. 10) Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Hiring Requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field.
2. Possession of certification as a Certified Work Incentives Practitioner either through Cornell or VCU National Training Center preferred. If certification is not possessed at the time of hire, training will be provided with expected successful completion within 6 months of hire.
3. A minimum of two years of human service experience is preferred. Basic knowledge of SSDI/SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare is required.
4. Personal experience with a disability and/or knowledge of disability-related issues.
5. Must successfully pass a criminal background check, sex offender registry, and DHHS Central Registry.
6. Must have access to reliable transportation as the position requires travel.

Minimum Skill Requirements

1. Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to a wide range of practical problems.
2. Ability to interpret federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and administrative codes such as Social Security Administration and Medicaid.
3. Ability to effectively work as part of a team. Skills include building rapport through interactions based on mutual respect and trust.  Facilitates problem-solving and conflict resolution.
4. Ability to adapt effective communication skills in a range of settings and individuals. Understanding of the impact specific disabilities may have on executive functioning and processing.
5. Maintains documentation; ability to use word processing and data entry.
6. Meets agency requirements for timeliness.
7. Develop and maintain working relationships with community agencies. Supports the positive image of the agency.
8. Must be proficient with the use of web conferencing tools such as MS Teams and Zoom software programs.

Key Competencies

1. Customer service skills. Ability to provide behavioral-based feedback.
2. Consistently demonstrates the ability to interact with individuals with diverse disabilities.
3. Highly organized. Ability to multi-task but maintain a balance of focus and completion.
4. Strong analytical skills. Able to problem-solve.  Facilitates discussions that promote identification and evaluation of options and effective implementation.
5. Able to work with minimal supervision by demonstrating initiative and sound judgment.
6. Meets deadlines and is respectful of the timeframes of others.

Position Location: DNCAP Main Office and Owosso satellite office and various community locations

Work Environment: This position will work primarily from the Lansing office or Owosso office and at various community sites. This position also involves work assignments in remote working environments such as accessing Zoom and MS Teams web conferencing software, while working from the office or off site.

Please send cover letter and resume, referencing Job #BP04082024 via email to [email protected] or to: Disability Network Capital Area, 901 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910 attn. Laurie Parker. Posting deadline: Monday, April 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Feel free to visit our website: www.dncap.org and Facebook page: Disability Network Capital Area.

The Disability Network Capital Area is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The Disability Network Capital Area follows Employment at Will practices.  The agency does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment.  Employment may be terminated by either party with or without notice and with or without cause.